International Conference: 40 years of Doi Moi: Revisiting Viet Nam's transition and its foreign policy

On November 7, 2025,  the Faculty of International Politics and Diplomacy (FIPAD) of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), in collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation (KAS), organized the International Conference titled “Doi Moi Turns 40: Revisiting Vietnam’s Transition and Its Foreign Policy.”

The event brought together editors from reputable international journals, international relations experts from Vietnam and abroad, and a large number of students.

In the Opening Session, Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, President of the DAV, and Mr. Lewe Paul, Resident Representative of KAS Vietnam, underscored the strategic importance of Doi Moi as the foundation for Vietnam’s four decades of reform, openness, and international integration. The conference aimed not only to reflect upon the Doi Moi process but also to examine how this historical turning point continues to shape Vietnam’s foreign policy thinking and international posture today. 

A total of 17 papers were presented across four thematic sessions, covering Vietnam’s socio-economic transformation, its foreign policy and international integration, relations with major powers, and role in multilateral mechanisms. Together, the sessions offered multidimensional perspectives on the Doi Moi process, examined new dynamics in Vietnam’s foreign policy, and proposed policy recommendations informed by historical experience, regional developments, and global trends.

A notable highlight of the conference was the panel discussions featuring international experts, including Dr. Kuik Cheng-Chwee (National University of Malaysia), Dr. Lam Peng Er (National University of Singapore), Dr. Manjeet S. Pardesi (Victoria University of Wellington), Dr. David Koh (VinUniversity, Vietnam), Professor Philippe Le Prestre (Laval University), Dr. Chow Bing Ngeow (University of Malaya), Dr. Detlef Briesen (Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany), and Dr. Joseph Ching Velasco (De La Salle University).

With highly constructive feedback from international scholars, the conference served as a valuable opportunity for young researchers in Vietnam—and particularly those at DAV—to familiarize themselves with international research standards and gain direct exposure to methodologies, techniques, and publication requirements from experienced academics. The discussion sessions also provided practical insights into how to identify research problems, develop arguments, select appropriate theoretical frameworks, and build coherent lines of reasoning. Through these activities, the conference made an important contribution to strengthening research capacity and laying the foundation for young scholars to work toward international publication in the future. 

The academic event took place in an atmosphere of openness, enthusiasm, and scholarly rigour, reflecting the academic spirit of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. Beyond serving as a platform for intellectual exchange, the events contributed to strengthening academic writing and research capacity among young scholars, while expanding the Faculty’s and the Academy’s international cooperation networks.

Some photos at the event: